Donny and Marie later forged their own partnership but Jimmy continued performing with his brothers. He also built a property business, ran his own burger joint, became an award-winning TV producer, wrote and illustrated a children’s book and still runs the Osmond Foundation.

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And he represented artists like Michael Jackson and Bon Jovi in Japan where he’s been a huge star since the age of five when his record My Little Girl went gold.

Britons took genial Jimmy to their hearts in 2005 after he smuggled a talking teddy into the jungle in I’m A Celebrity. Last month he won more fans with his easy-going charm on Celebrity MasterChef .

The Osmonds, circa 1975, had hits across the world (Image: Getty Images)

Now Jimmy is touring the UK with Moon River & Me – a unique Andy Williams tribute show full of nostalgia, memories of his mentor and tales of the fan frenzy that might have sent other child stars off the rails.

Jimmy insists he came through it unscarred. But just occasionally you get a sense of how lonely and confusing it must have been for a boy who never went to school and only really had his siblings as friends.

He says: “It was fever pitch back then. At Heathrow in 1972 there were so many fans that a balcony collapsed under the weight.

“There were 5,000 screaming girls at our hotel threatening to break in – so the fire brigade hosed them away.

“We were smuggled into the back of bread vans like Mission Impossible. Exciting, but it could get scary. When you’re a kid you almost feel you’ve done something wrong. I was once dragged into a crowd by my hair and that was pretty alarming.

“So guards would shut me in a case to carry me out. It was wild but my parents went out of their way to ensure we knew this wasn’t normal. Our individual successes were never celebrated. It sounds harsh but my parents didn’t want any one of us thinking we were special.

“Even when I was No1 my dad made me take the trash out. And Donny was the golden child so you always felt like second fiddle. But I wasn’t jealous. Donny was – is – my best buddy and still my neighbour.”

Jimmy isn't quite so little these days (Image: John Alevroyiannis / Sunday Mirror)

When Jimmy was 16 the Osmonds split to pursue solo work. Until they discovered advisors had rifled £65million of their fortune.

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Handling rights for Jacko’s 1987 Bad tour helped Jimmy recover. He wed in 1991 to Michelle, 50 – his first lover under Mormon rules which also ban alcohol and stimulants.

Jimmy says: “I’m a red-blooded guy and, yes, there were temptations. But faith and fear of my parents made it easy to say no! I’m glad I waited until my wedding night.

“Michelle was my first gal and my only gal and we have a wonderful relationship.” They have four children – Sophia, 22, Zachary, 18, Wyatt, 16, and Bella, 14 – and 35 nephews and nieces.

Jimmy with Sunday Mirror's Rachael Bletchly (Image: Sunday Mirror)

Jimmy said: “The family just grows and grows and we don’t all get together that much. But I’m touring at Christmas with Jay and Merrill.”

Eldest brothers Virl and Tom were born deaf and never performed with their siblings. Alan, 69, who led the group, has MS while Wayne, 65, is recovering from a brain tumour. And Jimmy had his own scare 13 years ago. He had a mini stroke and doctors spotted a hole in the heart.

It was genetic and tests revealed his youngest daughter, three brothers and several nephews all had it. Ever upbeat, he adds: “So my crisis helped family members – a wonderful thing.”

I have a confession for Jimmy before I leave. I was an Osmond fan from the age of eight, adored Donny and wanted to marry him... but I REALLY hated Long Haired Lover.

Jimmy beams: “Wanted to marry Donny? You and six million others! Hey, I know I wasn’t the cool one and maybe never had Donny’s success, but I’m different. I’m my own guy.”

Jimmy Osmond is on tour with A Tribute To Andy Williams – Moon River & Me from September 26. Go to jimmyosmond.com. The Osmonds are on tour as part of The Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular nationwide from December 14. See ticketmaster.co.uk.